The fact that the Tory party conference this week was dedicated to trying to show how much the Conservatives have changed shouldn't be taken by Labour as a reverse, but as an enormous compliment. And the fact that, when you scratch beneath the surface, the old Tory problems are unresolved represents an enormous opportunity.

Labour's launch of the next stage of our family friendly policy is a case in point. Sure Start is one of the government's greatest achievements. It is a programme that gives antenatal advice, and early-years help for children who need it. It is a vital source of learning to parents who often find work on the back of it; and a community facility that becomes a focal point for local health, childcare and educational networks.

It has become a new frontier of a changing welfare state. Sure Start is now converting to offer a wider and larger programme of children's centres, with the benefit of increased overall levels of funding - and that programme today sees the one thousandth centre open. The programme target is 2,500 by the year 2008 - and full national coverage by the year 2010.

This was a programme that was originally conceived to help children, but it is now offering much more than that. Very often it is the parents who, when given - for the very first time - some expert help and encouragement, benefit most by understanding their own potential and how they can develop it. There are truly inspirational stories of families whose lives have been transformed by their own efforts, but who have been liberated by a helping hand that was there when the families needed it.

There is more to come. By the year 2010 there will be affordable 8am-6pm childcare for all kids between the ages of three and 14. As the extended schools programme helps to make the school a hub of community activity there will be more choices for learning being given to adults, as well as to the most disadvantaged children. There will be further improvements in maternity leave and nursery education.

This is what a modern welfare state should do. Be on the side of people, when they need it - allowing them greater freedom, greater choice and greater power over the things that they want to do. Not a nanny state, but an enabling one.

We are putting this new emphasis on early years and helping parents cope with the stresses of modern life because it's right, now and for the long-term future and strength of our country. But it is also absolutely the correct politics. The Tory party in general and its leader in particular have opposed virtually every part of it.

It was amusing to hear the Conservatives asking for an extension of the right to request flexible working - another part of the New Labour family programme. When we introduced it just four years ago, they and their leader voted against it.

Should their desire to U-turn now worry us? Not at all. As their attitude to Sure Start shows - attacking it one day, supporting it the next - their fundamental problem is policy. Not in a superficial sense but a profound one they've not worked out.

The reason that they are making a virtue of having no policies is that they are still caught between the two wings of their party. The Tories want to postpone a decision on direction, but if we have confidence both in our achievements and future programme, they will be forced to decide. That will be their real test of leadership. There is no evidence from this week that they can pass it.